Closure



W. HAMMES Nov. 25, 1969 CLOSURE Filed Dec. '7, 1967 United States PatentO "ice 3,480,169 CLOSURE Wilhelm Hammes, Seelscheid, near Siegburg,Germany,

assignor to Mauser Kommandit-Gesellschaft, Cologne- Bazenthal, GermanyFiled Dec. 7, 1967, Ser. No. 688,825 Claims priority, applicationGermany, Dec. 13, 1966, M 71,995 Int. Cl. B65d 41/04 U.S. Cl. 21S-40 10Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A closure for sealing the neck of acontainer includes a cup-shaped cap member having an open side and beingprovided with a bottom wall and a circumferential wall. A supportingprojection extends from the bottom wall towards the open side within theconnes of the circumferential wall with which it denes an annularclearance in which the neck of the container is received. The peripheralface of the projection is provided with a circumferential recess whichextends inwardly from the clearance. A sealing ring is received in thecircumferential recess.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to a closurein general, and more particularly to a closure for containers. Stillmore speciiically the present invention -relates to a screw cap forsealing the neck of a container.

Certain containers consist of yieldable material, such as metallic orplastic material which may or may not be elastically deformable. Incontainers of this type, wherein the neck is provided with screw threadswith which complementary screw threads provided on a cap member areadapted to mate, so that the cap member can be screwed onto the neck ofthe container for sealing the latter, problems have been encountered incircumstances where the cap member is subjected to external forcesacting in inward direction and tending to deform the cap member andthereby the container neck portion received within the cap member. Suchdeformation is not only undesirable from a point of view of possibledamage to the neck of the container and/or the cap member, and furtherfrom a point of view of making either or both of these unsuitable forre-use, but also because such deformation will generally destroy theseal which the cap member is intended to provide.

With some materials which may be stored in such containers, for instancewith milk, leakage resulting from such damage will mean nothing morethan a certain economic loss and may be acceptable although evidentlyundesirable. However, there are other materials, for example gasoline,which, if allowed to leak as a result of such damage, can constitute asignicant danger. For this reason certain industries have specic andvery rigid requirements as to the sealing of containers using such capmembers. In fact, certain countries have established rigid requirementsaccording to which an absolutely tight seal must be guaranteed inclosures of this type; and to determine the suitability of suchclosures, lled containers provided with such closures are tested bydropping them from heights ranging between three and six feet so thatthey impact on the closure members. These tests, which are intended tosimulate the roughest handling containers of this type are expected toreceive, have established that the forces acting upon the wall of thecap member are transmitted to the container neck which latter becomesdeformed within the cap member, so that the seal is thereby disrupted.This is accentuated by the fact that the cap 3,480,169 Patented Nov. 25,1969 members must consist of elastically deformable material to enablethem to withstand the very strong forces to which they are subjected insuch tests-and presumably during actual use. A particular disadvantageof the use of such material for the cap members also resides in the factthat the deformation forces are transmitted directly to the threads onthe container neck, and in that the customary sealing rings which areprovided within the cap member for sealing the container are dislodgedfrom their intended sealing positions. Such movement of the sealingrings is, incidentally, undesirably aided if the contents of thecontainer have a lubricating effect.

\ Summary of the invention The present invention overcomes thedisadvantages outlined above.

More specifically, the present invention provides a closure,particularly for sealing the neck of a container, Which is not subjectto these disadvantages.

The closure according to the present invention comprises a cup-shapedcap member within which a supporting projection extends within thecontines of the circumferential wall of the cap member from the bottomwall of the member towards an open end thereof. This supportingprojection denes an annular clearance with the circumferential wall ofthe cap member, and the neck of the container is received in thisclearance so that the supporting projection is located within the neckof the container. The supporting projection should, of course, be sodimensioned that it will be relatively tightly received within thecontainer neck and can thus support the same against inwardly actingforces which would otherwise tend to deform it. Because of theconfiguration of the supporting projection the latter will not yield,that is, it will not change its position with respect to thecircumferential wall of the cap member even when subjected to forces ofthe magnitude described above.

In accordance with the present invention the novel cap member hereindisclosed is further provided with a sealing ring which is so arrangedas to be secured against undesired displacement regardless of thedirection and magnitude of forces acting upon the cap member so that areliable seal is guaranteed at all times, particularly in conjunctionwith the fact that the supporting projecting eliminates deformation ofthe container neck.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 illustrates, in axial section,one embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to =FIG. 1, but illustrates a furtherembodiment of the invention.

Description of the preferred embodiments Discussing now the drawing indetail, and firstly FIG. 1 thereof, it will be seen that referencenumeral 1 identies the externally screwthreaded neck 1 of a container.The configuration and size of the container are of no consequence in thecontext of the present invention so that the remainder of the containerhas not been illustrated. The opening of the neck 1 is bounded by aninner peripheral surface 1.

Reference numeral 2 generally identifies a cap member in accordance withthe invention. This cap member comprises a bottom wall 2 and acircumferential wall 2 which extends from the bottom wall 2. Provided onthe bottom Wall 2 and extending therefrom in the direction towards theopen end of the cap member 2 and within the confines of thecircumferential wall 2 is a supporting projection 4 which, in theembodiment of FIG. l is integral with bottom wall 2. The supportingprojection 4 is more massive than either the bottom wall or thecircumferential wall of the cap member 2 and is of sufficient rigidityto be non-deflectable with reference to the circumferential wall 2". Inthe embodiment of FIG. l the projection 4 is shown to be provided withan axial depression 4'. It is to be understood, however, that thisdepression 4 can be partially or completely eliminated without affectingin any way the purposes and scope of the present invention.

The outwardly directed peripheral face of the projection -4 defines Withthe circumferential wall 2" an annular clearance (not numbered) withinwhich the neck 1 of the container is received. Evidently, in theillustrated embodiment the inner side of the circumferential wall 2 willbe provided-as illustratedwith screw threads which mate with the screwthreads provided on the neck 1.

Immediately adjacent the junction of the projection 4 with the bottomwall 2" of the cap member 2, the out- Wardly directed peripheral face 5of the projection 4 is provided with a circumferential recess Sextending inwardly from the aforementioned annular clearance. Aconventional sealing ring 3 consisting of elastically deformablematerial such as rubber, synthetic plastic or the like, is received inthis recess 5 as illustrated in FIG. l. Because the sealing ring 3 hasan outer diameter so dimensioned that, when the sealing ring 3 isreceived in the recess 5, it will abut against the inner side of thecircumferential wall 2, the sealing ring extends across the er1- tirewidth of the aforementioned radial clearance so that the end face 1" ofthe neck 1 can abut against the sealing ring 3 and provide a tight sealtherewith when the cap member 2 is threaded onto the neck 1. It will benoted that the sealing ring 3 is prevented from being displaced out ofits position illustrated in FIG. l by being in engagement with, on theone hand the bottom wall 2', and on the other hand the shoulder 5 whichis created in the projection 4 by provision of the recess 5. Downwardlyof the face 5 the projection 4 tapers conically as indicated at 4". Thistaper not only serves as a guide in assisting the introduction of theprojection 4 within the confines of the neck 1 when the cap member 2 isthreaded thereonto, but also facilitates insertion of the sealing ring 3whose inner diameter is obviously smaller than the maximum outerdiameter of the projection 4 so that the sealing ring 3 must be variablydistended in order to be introducable into the recess 5. It is evidentthat the inner diameter of the sealing ring 3 need not be the same asthe inner diameter of the recess 5, but can also be smaller if it isdesired to provide even tighter engagement of the sealing ring 3 withinthe recess 5. Furthermore it is clear that the radial width of thesealing ring 3 need not be only such that it will completely extendacross the annular clearance and into engagement with the inner side ofthe circumferential wall 2", but that this dimension can be somewhatlarger so that the sealing ring will actually be compressed between theinner side of the circumferential Wall 2 and the bottom of the recess 5.

Various different materials are, of course, suitable for manufacture ofthe cap member 2. I have found it advantageous to use a syntheticplastic material and, more specifically, a thermoplastic syntheticmaterial.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 differs from that of FIG. lprimarily in the details of the supporting projection. The neck of thecontainer on which the cap member 2a is to be provided is againidentified with reference numeral 1, its inner surface with referencenumeral 1 and its end face with reference numeral 1". The bottom wall ofthe cap member 2a is identified with reference numeral 2a and-thecircumferential Wall with reference numeral 2a".

Unlike FIG. 1 the supporting projection in the embodiment of FIG. 2consists of two sections. The inner section is-'integral with the bottomwall 2a' and is identified with reference numeral 6. It is provided witha recess 6 corresponding to the recess 4' in FIG. 1, but it is againpointed out that this recess can be eliminated. In crosssectionalconfiguration the inner section 6 tapers substantially conically in thedirection from the bottom wall 2a towards the open end of the cap member2a. Inwardly of the free end `6 the section 6 is provided with asubstantially radially extending flange so that the projection 6 is ineffect provided with an undercut 8 rearwardly of this flange. From thisundercut 8 the section 6 tapers again inthe direction towards the freeend 6, as indicated by reference numeral 8', and the cross-sectionalconfiguration obtained by this dual taper and the undercut is thusreminiscent of the shape of a saw-tooth. The second section of thesupporting projection in FIG. 2 is in the form of an annulus 7 which isplaced over and around the first section y6 and is prevented from axialand radial movement relative thereto by being confined in the undercut8, as seen in FIG. 2. The material of the annulus 7 may be the same asor different from the material of the section 6.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2 it is the annulus 7 which is provided with arecess 9 corresponding to the recess 5 in FIG. l, and evidently thesurface 11 of the annulus 7 corresponds to the outwardly directedperipheral face S in FIG. 1. The cross-sectional configurations of therecess 9 is somewhat different from that of FIG. l so as to accommodatea sealing ring 10 Whose cross-sectional configuration is correspondinglydifferent and which is of the type conventionally known as an O-ring. Ofcourse, the difference between the sealing ring 10 and the sealing ring3 is that the latter is flat, whereas the former is of roundedcross-section, the recess 9 being correspondingly configurated. Thesealing ring 10 is compressed between the end face 1'l of the neck 1,the shoulder created in the annulus 7 by provision of the recess 9, theinner side of the circumferential wall 2a, and the bottom wall 2a. Toincrease the area of engagement between the surfaces 11 and 1', and toprovide still better internal support against deflection and deformationof the neck 1, the surface 11 is substantially cylindrical and extendsslightly below the free end 6" of the section 6. This is evidentlydifferent from FIG. l where the projection 4 recedes out of contact withthe surface 1 of the neck 1 because of the taper 4. In FIG. 2 this taperis not needed because the surface 8 fulfills the same purpose, it beingclear that the annulus 7 and the sealing ring 10 are placed into theirrespective positions within the cap member simultaneously, which is tosay that the sealing ring 10 is placed into the groove 9 whereupon theannulus 7 is put in place, aided by the inclined surface 8'.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofconstructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in anenclosure which is particularly suitable for sealing the neck of acontainer, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, sincevarious modifications and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. A combination of the character described, comprising a containerhaving a neck consisting of material deformable within its elasticlimits, said neck having a predetermined outer diameter and beingprovided with an opening having a smaller inner diameter; a closureincluding a cup-shaped cap member having a bottom wall and acircumferential wall extending from said bottom wall and having aninwardly directed circumferential face, a supporting projectionextending from said bottom wall in direction towards an open end of saidcap member within the confines of said circumferential wall and havingan outwardly directed peripheral face having in said direction apredetermined length and defining with said inwardly directed face ofsaid circumferential wall an annular clearance, said neck of saidcontainer being received in said annular clearance in abutment with saidcircumferential face and with said peripheral face over at least a majorportion of said predetermined length of the latter when said cap memberis in use so as to retain said closure on said flexible neck, saidperipheral face being provided with a circumferential recess extendinginwardly from said clearance; and a sealing ring received in saidcircumferential recess.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said cap member and saidprojection consist of synthetic plastic material.

3. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said synthetic plasticmaterial is a thermoplastic material.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said circumferentialrecess is provided in said face immediately adjacent said bottom wall sothat said recess is bounded at opposite axial sides thereof by saidbottom wall and by the material of said projection, respectively.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said circumferentialrecess has a predetermined inner diameter smaller than the outerdiameter of said projection; said sealing ring having a center apertureof a diameter at most equal to said inner diameter and consisting ofelastically deformable material so as to be insertable in elasticallydistended condition over said projection and into said circumferentialrecess.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said sealing ring has anouter diameter at least equal to the corresponding dimension of saidannular clearance so` as to abut against said circumferential wall whensaid ring is received in said recess. i

7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said projection isintegral with said bottom wall.

8. A combination as defined in claim 6, projection having a free endfacing the open end of said cap member, and tapering in the directionfrom said recess towards said free end. n

9. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said projectioncomprises an inner first section integral with said bottom wall andtapering in direction toward said open end of said cap member, saidfirst section having a free end portion remote from said bottom wall andprovided with a vertically projecting annular fiange, and a discreteouter secondsection of annular configuration surrounding said innerfirst section and abutting said bot.- tom wall and said flange so as tobe secured thereby against axial increment with reference to said innerfirst section; and wherein said peripheral face and said cirf.cumferential recess are provided on said outer second section.

10. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said outer secondsection has an axial length greater than that of said inner firstsection, and wherein said peripheral face extends axially beyond saidinner first section and towards said free end of said cap member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,731,093 1/ 1956 Gordon.2,748,969 6/1956 Leary T 21S-:40 3,247,992 4/ 1966 Exton a? 21S-41FOREIGN PATENTS 801,925 9/ 1958 Great Britain. 1,100,567 4/1955 France.

WILLIAM T. DIXSON, IR., Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 21S-43

